LONDON – Redx Pharma Ltd. is motoring toward the launch of a third research division, securing a conditional offer from the UK government's Regional Growth Fund (RGF) for a unit specializing in metabolic disease.
• Advancell SA, of Barcelona, Spain, and Helsinn Healthcare SA, of Lugano, Switzerland, signed a partnering agreement to develop and commercialize ATH008, a topical product designed to prevent and treat palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, or PPES, often caused by fluoropyrimidines-based chemotherapy, and hand-foot skin reactions, or HFSR, often caused by multitargeted kinase inhibitors.
Affimed Therapeutics AG secured a first deal for its bispecific tandem diabody (Tandab) technology, with Johnson & Johnson. The agreement is being executed indirectly, through the financing of a single-asset subsidiary of Affimed, called Amphivena Therapeutics Inc., which has in-licensed an Affimed program.
LONDON – Immunocore Ltd. has done it again, landing a multitarget pact with Glaxosmithkline plc (GSK), featuring a combined price tag of £142 million (US$212 million) for preclinical development followed by up to £200 million (US$299 million) per program in clinical and commercialization milestones, and double-digit royalties on sales.
LONDON – A mouse model for a subtype of colon cancer – genetically identical to the equivalent human cancer – is making it possible to screen drugs to find more effective treatments for that type of tumor.
Shares in Cardio3 Biosciences SA performed strongly on their first day of trading, following a July 4 initial public offering (IPO) on the NYSE Euronext exchanges in Brussels and Paris that raised €23 million (US$29.6 million).
Oncoethix SA raised CHF18 million (US$18.7 million) in a Series B round to move its bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitor OTX015 into Phase II proof-of-concept studies in hematological malignancies.
LONDON – Cancer immunotherapy specialist Scancell Holdings plc is looking to raise £6.5 million (US$9.7 million) in a placing and open offer, allowing it to expand an ongoing Phase I/II trial of its lead Immunobody product, SCIB1 , and to commence preclinical development of a second cancer vaccine platform, Moditope.
The regulatory system for drugs in China has improved since officials put the head of the country's FDA to death six years ago for accepting bribes, but the struggle is still uphill for drug developers inside the country and those trying to gain entry.
RSS